JOYCE — The Crescent football team started off the game scoring 20 points without running a single play on offense as the Loggers’ special teams dominated in a 58-0 win over Lummi on Tuesday.
It was Crescent’s first win over Lummi since 2018 and likely the biggest win ever over the Blackhawks, who have been a 1B powerhouse for years but seem to be down this year at 1-4. Still, the Blackhawks did beat Tulalip Heritage early this year, and Tulalip Heritage just beat Crescent on Saturday.
The game was also unusual for being played on a Tuesday. It was a game that was rescheduled because of poor air quality in September.
It was such a surprising score that coach Brian Shimko had other 1B coaches calling him Wednesday morning.
“We played hard. This is what we should’ve had the past couple of weeks,” said Shimko, whose team stands at 3-3 and in the thick of a battle for a playoff slot.
Special teams shined. The Loggers scored their first touchdown on a 64-yard return by Dominiq Sprague on the opening kickoff. Crescent held on defense, forcing a punt, then quickly scored again on a 70-yard punt return by Lukas Love.
The Loggers’ Josh Berson then forced a safety to make it 14-0. On the kickoff, Love returned the ball again all the way for a 62-yard touchdown.
“The offense hadn’t even touched the field except for extra points,” Shimko said.
“That’s what happens when we’re getting blocks on special teams. When [Sprague and Love] get the ball in their hands, they will make plays,” Shimko said.
Love scored his third touchdown of the game on a 15-yard pass from Henry Bourm, and Sprague scored two more touchdowns on runs of 26 and 4 yards. Tommy Leonard had a 2-yard run to make it 50-0 at the half.
Love finished the game with four touchdowns, catching a 47-yard pass from Bourm for a touchdown in the second half.
Owen Jackson and Wyatt Owens each had two two-point conversions.
Because of the dominance of the special teams, Crescent didn’t actually have that much offense — less than 200 yards total, as the junior varsity players took over in the second half.
Bourm led the team in rushing three times for 37 yards. He also threw 4-for-5 for 85 yards. Love had three catches for 77 yards and a 14-yard rush.
Sprague ran six times for 29 yards and Leonard ran five times for 14 yards. Owen Jackson had an 8-yard catch.
Crescent (3-3) next plays on the road at 1 p.m. Saturday in Tacoma against the Charles Wright Academy. The Loggers play the Neah Bay JV next Tuesday in Neah Bay, then have two crucial games against strong league opponents Concrete (4-2) and Darrington (6-0).